Part A-

1. Conduct an Internet search on "hospital alliances" and select one such alliance. Review the information provided.

2. Read "Reflections on Geographic Variations in U.S. Health Care" at http://www.dartmouthatlas.org/downloads/press/Skinner_Fisher_DA_05_10.pdf.

3. Review The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care website at http://www.dartmouthatlas.org.

4. Develop a five- to ten-page paper analyzing your selected alliance and responding to the following questions:

5. What is the purpose of the alliance?

6. What are the direct benefits for the alliance participants?

7. What challenges or difficulties may exist or develop within the alliance? How might these be mitigated?

8. Given the documented variations in practice patterns reflected in the Dartmouth Atlas, can the alliance play a role in promoting evidence-based practices? If so, how? In not, why not?

Part B-

1. Conduct an Internet search on "hospital alliances" and select one such alliance. Review the information provided.

2. Read "Reflections on Geographic Variations in U.S. Health Care" at http://www.dartmouthatlas.org/downloads/press/Skinner_Fisher_DA_05_10.pdf.

3. Review The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care website at http://www.dartmouthatlas.org.

4. Develop a five- to ten-page paper analyzing your selected alliance and responding to the following questions:

a. What is the purpose of the alliance?

b. What are the direct benefits for the alliance participants?

c. What challenges or difficulties may exist or develop within the alliance? How might these be mitigated?

d. Given the documented variations in practice patterns reflected in the Dartmouth Atlas, can the alliance play a role in promoting evidence-based practices? If so, how? In not, why not?